Why is being clean shaven still enforced?
Discussion
This is a question which has been on my mind since leaving education and joining the professional world.
Since the age of 14 until 23, I was very rarely clean shaven, partly down to lazyness (we have all been there at some point), but mainly down to the fact that shaving always makes my face spotty no matter how I do it, or different razors etc etc...
In my new job, they are so strict on being clean shaven, that even my 3pm shaddow gets noticed. This isn't a rant, or a thread about being image conscious. Surely this is a very old fashioned rule and should be knocked on the head? Well in my opinion it should, as I hate shaving every day. I feel it doesn't make me look more professional and it doesn't lead to me closing anymore contracts (I work in sales). I can fully understand to not have a full on beard, that would just be pushing the boat too far.
Feel free to move this thread if I have posted it in the wrong section.
As noted above, I am just curious. Are all employers hot on this issue? The day when I am the big cheese, I most definitely will not be enforcing this rule, as long as people don't take the piss with it. As I feel when people are comfortable, they will work their hardest.
P.B
Since the age of 14 until 23, I was very rarely clean shaven, partly down to lazyness (we have all been there at some point), but mainly down to the fact that shaving always makes my face spotty no matter how I do it, or different razors etc etc...
In my new job, they are so strict on being clean shaven, that even my 3pm shaddow gets noticed. This isn't a rant, or a thread about being image conscious. Surely this is a very old fashioned rule and should be knocked on the head? Well in my opinion it should, as I hate shaving every day. I feel it doesn't make me look more professional and it doesn't lead to me closing anymore contracts (I work in sales). I can fully understand to not have a full on beard, that would just be pushing the boat too far.
Feel free to move this thread if I have posted it in the wrong section.
As noted above, I am just curious. Are all employers hot on this issue? The day when I am the big cheese, I most definitely will not be enforcing this rule, as long as people don't take the piss with it. As I feel when people are comfortable, they will work their hardest.
P.B
Don't most employers say clean shaven OR neatly trimmed facial hair?
The ruling seems to be designed to deal with lazy buggers who can't be bothered shaving.
I can see their point - if you're too lazy to maintain a neat personal appearance, then you're probably too lazy to do a whole host of things at work, too.
The ruling seems to be designed to deal with lazy buggers who can't be bothered shaving.
I can see their point - if you're too lazy to maintain a neat personal appearance, then you're probably too lazy to do a whole host of things at work, too.
Du1point8 said:
I hate shaving every day as my skin gets really bad rash and at the most I can put up with every other day otherwise by the weekend the skin is an absolute mess.
Me too. My face would be a mess if I shaved everyday. I usually manage to last about a week between shaves, any longer and I'd start to look like Grizzly Adams.Chicharito said:
Don't most employers say clean shaven OR neatly trimmed facial hair?
The ruling seems to be designed to deal with lazy buggers who can't be bothered shaving.
I can see their point - if you're too lazy to maintain a neat personal appearance, then you're probably too lazy to do a whole host of things at work, too.
It's funny how driven high achievers are always invariably unkempt isn't it, not so much as can't be bothered, more putting 100% of all resources into.The ruling seems to be designed to deal with lazy buggers who can't be bothered shaving.
I can see their point - if you're too lazy to maintain a neat personal appearance, then you're probably too lazy to do a whole host of things at work, too.
Chicharito said:
Don't most employers say clean shaven OR neatly trimmed facial hair?
The ruling seems to be designed to deal with lazy buggers who can't be bothered shaving.
I can see their point - if you're too lazy to maintain a neat personal appearance, then you're probably too lazy to do a whole host of things at work, too.
Laziness isn't an aspect what so ever, I just feel (and I am sure other gents feel the same) shaving every day is completely unneccessary. The ruling seems to be designed to deal with lazy buggers who can't be bothered shaving.
I can see their point - if you're too lazy to maintain a neat personal appearance, then you're probably too lazy to do a whole host of things at work, too.
Also I am not lazy in my job, 65 hours last week with a total of 1 hour lunch break for the whole week, says I am not lazy and being on top of my sales after my 2 months of being with the company, also shows that I am not boneidle.
I have just taken a look at my contract again, and it does state that professional business attire is to be worn at all times and that facial hair should be shaved, or if religious beliefs state otherwise. I will now praise to Allah and grow a oh so manly beard
Having stubble probably does create a bit of an 'unprofessional' or 'lazy' image and it might be more of an issue is sales where image counts.
Luckily we dont have such a rule enforced where I work - would be a massive hassle.
Of course if you have a 'full on' beard then that is fine - but I think the halfway house of just not shaving for a few days is the issue really.
Luckily we dont have such a rule enforced where I work - would be a massive hassle.
Of course if you have a 'full on' beard then that is fine - but I think the halfway house of just not shaving for a few days is the issue really.
Employers can determine their own contracts as long as they are legal. Now, you may not consider it fair that you have to shave but Mavis in accounts doesn't; that's a separate employment, not legal, issue of fairness. That would have to be taken up with Trades Unions or employment tribunals. Good luck!
rog007 said:
Employers can determine their own contracts as long as they are legal. Now, you may not consider it fair that you have to shave but Mavis in accounts doesn't; that's a separate employment, not legal, issue of fairness. That would have to be taken up with Trades Unions or employment tribunals. Good luck!
It is a straight foward example of sex discrimination. Just needs someone to make the stand.I'm 27 and haven't been clean shaven for about 5 years, i go between 'fashionable stubble' and hobo on a weekly basis. I use my clippers once, maybe twice a week.
It doesn't effect my work or my attitude, so if someone was shallow enough to take exception that's their problem not mine. I think it's only acceptable for people who're specifically employed to look a certain way - models, sports persons with personal sponsors and the like.
It doesn't effect my work or my attitude, so if someone was shallow enough to take exception that's their problem not mine. I think it's only acceptable for people who're specifically employed to look a certain way - models, sports persons with personal sponsors and the like.
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